Golfer&#39;s stance gauge



T. L. LINGG GOLFERS STANCE GAUGE Filed Oct. 3, 1933 Dec. 24, 1935.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ara-u In INVENTOR: fimothg Llf FIG:

W TNESSES:

ATTORNEYS,

'1". LINGG 2,025,519

GOLFERS STANCE GAUGE Dec. 24, 1935.

Filed Oct. 3, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG- W- WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

ammy Lm y,

' a a; ATTORNEYS.

Patented- Dec. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES GOLFER'S STANCE GAUGE Timothy L. Llngg, Brookline, Pa.

Application October 3, 1933, Serial No. 691,905

7 Claims.

The present application is in part a continuation of a previous patent application Serial No. 653,938, filed by me on January 28, 1933.

This invention relates to stance gauges useful more particularly to golf players as an aid in acquiring the proper poise for efficiency in making different kinds of drives incident to playing the game.

Considered from the broadest aspect, my invent-ion is directed to a device of the type referred to which is suitable for self-instruction in accordance with predescribed rules or for instruction under the tutelage of a golf expert, and which can beset to accurately determine different open and closed stances either straight or angular with regard to the intended direction of projection of the golf ball, as well as to accurately determine different positions of the ball laterally as well as longitudinally with respect to the intended line of drive.

Another object of my invention is to secure the above advantages in a stance gauge which lends itself to economic construction from straight cross-sectionally rounded flexible tape metal with its component parts swivelly interconnected in such a manner as to be collapsed into mutual coincidence somewhat after the manner of a folding rule.

A further object of my invention is to provide a case for the gauge which can be conveniently carried about in a garment pocket and within which the gauge is collected as a compact spiral incident to being advanced endwise through a receiving slot in the edge wall of said casing.

Still other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will be manifest from the fol lowing detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. I is a view showing how my improved gauge is used for an open stance by a right handed player.

Fig. II is a view like Fig. I with the gauge inverted for an open stance by a left handed player.

Fig. III is a fragmentary view on a. larger scale showing more clearly the pivoted juncture between the foot and direction gauge component of the gauge and coordinative markings on said components for determining different angles of separation.

Fig. IV is a detail sectional view likewise on a larger scale taken as indicated by the arrow IV-IV in Fig. I showing the sliding swivel connection between the ball gauge component and the direction gauge component of the gauge.

Fig. V shows the novel carrying case which I have devised, for the gauge.

Fig. VI is a view of the case with its cover removed for exposure of its interior.

Fig. VII shows the carrying case in axial section; and,

Fig. VIII is a perspective view of a clip embodied in the sliding swivel connectionshown in Fig. IV.

With more specific reference first to Figs. I and II of the drawings, my improved stance gauge comprises a direction gauge component In. a foot gauge component II, and a ball gauge component l2 all of which are made from straight flexible strip material of concaved cross section, for example, tape steel of a good quality which will withstand bending and rough usage generally without fracturing or kinking. The direction, foot and ball gauge components l0, II and I2 are preferably designated as such by lettering on opposite sides as shown in Figs. I and II, and, in addition, the direction gauge component l bears arrows on its opposite sides to indicate the direction in which the ball B is to be driven.

The foot gauge component II, it will be noted, is swivelly connected to the direction gauge component In somewhat inward of one end of the latter, by means of a tubular rivet l3 so that it can be swung to different angles relative to said direction component. To facilitate setting of the foot gauge component ll accurately to any desired angle, it and the direction gauge component Ill are provided on opposite sides with curved crosswise graduations which are concentric with the swivel center I3 and individually numbered to indicate the angles. The graduations on that side of the direction gauge component l0 exposed in Figs. I are moreover characterized by straight segments radially of the pivot center. Thus, for instance, if the foot gauge component H is to be set at an angle of five degrees, it is swung upward about the center l3 from the position of Fig. I until its upper edge at the five degree graduation thereon coincides with the radial segment of the five degree graduation on the direction gauge component ID. A similar procedure is followed to set the foot gauge to the other angles indicated by the graduations. On the opposite side of the gauge, see Figs. II and III, the crosswise graduations of the foot gauge II have radial segments which are adapted to be brought into coincidence with the lower edge of the direction gauge component I!) when the device is used inverted as in Fig. II. Beyond the five degree angle graduations, both the direction and foot gauge components It and II are marked oil on opposite sides in inches measured from the swivel center l3 and beginning at nine inches and terminating at twenty-five inches. The portion of the direction gauge component ill extending rightward of the swivel rivet l3 in Fig. I and leftward of said rivet in Fig. II is left plain, i. e., without markings of any knid, but its end is notched centrally as at it for a purpose later on explained.

The ball gauge component I2 is attached to the direction gauge component III by a sliding swivel connection which is comprehensively indicated by the numeral l5. As shown in Figs. IV and VIII, this connection l5 includes a slide clip it which is fashioned from sheet metal to conform with the cross sectional configuration of the direction gauge component Ill and formed with lap flanges IT for retainment by the edges of said directional gauge component. The slide clip l6 moreover has a central aperture for a tubular rivet l8 which serves as a swivel fulcrum for the ball gauge component l2. This arrangement obviously permits the ball gauge component l2 to be swung outward at right angles to the direction gauge component III, as well as to be shifted therealong to different distances from the swivel center iii in accordance with the inch graduations on said direction gauge as desired or required. The ball gauge component I2 is marked off in inches on its opposite sides measured from the swivel center It, it being in this instance fifteen inches long and made in two sections which are swivelly connected by a rivet Is at the eight inch graduation. The full length of the ball gauge component I2 is used for making long shots as later on more fully explained. For short shots theupper or shorter section of the ball gauge component I2 is swung under the longer section in Fig. I.

The manner in which the stance gauge is to be used is as follows:

Right hand player grees, the ball gauge component l2 extended into perpendicular relation to the direction gauge component and set therealong to the desired distance from the swivel center [3, and the ball B placed at the desired distance from the direction gauge. The player thereupon takes his position to make the shot, placing his right foot at the swivel I3 and his left foot at the desired distance along the foot gauge component II as illustrated. If a square stance is used, the foot gauge component Ii is swung over the direction gauge component I 0, the right foot placed as before, and the left foot placed at the desired distance from the right foot and toeing said foot gauge component. If a closed stance is used the instrument is inverted, the left foot placed at the swivel juncture l3 and the right foot placed at a described distance along the foot gauge component ll after the latter is opened a predescribed number of degrees.

Left hand player If an open stance is ,used, the gauge is inverted as in Fig. II and the preparations made in the same way as described in connection with Fig. I, except that the player places his left foot at the swivel center It and his right foot a prescribed distance along the foot gauge component II. For a closed stance, the gauge is not inverted, and the right foot placed at the swivel 5 center is while the left foot is placed at a predescribed distance along the foot gauge component ll after the latter is opened a predescribed number of degrees.

The drive 10 In making a shotwith the driver, the direction gauge component II should be pointed directly down the fairway with the foot gauge component ll closed for a square stance. The ice 15 of the right foot is placed at I! and the left foot approximately twenty inches on the direction gauge component III. In this instance the ball B should be played off the ball gauge component i2 which should be at right angles, pos- 20 sibly nineteen inches on the direction gauge component Ill. The ball B should of course be placed Iron. (mashie) shot 25 Naturally an open stance is used and should be played as follows: The right foot is placed at l3 and the foot gauge component ll opened possibly to about fifteen degrees, and the left 30 foot positioned possibly fifteen inches on the foot gauge component II. The ball B will be off the direction gauge component l2 which will be set possibly at nine inches on the direction gauge component l0. Here, again, the ball B will be 35 placed at a distance from the player most suitable to him.

My improved stance gauge can obviously be used in making any kind of a golf shot whether it be with a driver, brassie, spoon, or any number iron, down to a putter. Various stances will of course be prescribed for each club whether I made by a right hand player or left hand player and whether made with an open or closed stance. The instrument will determine how the player is to stand to make the particular shot. For example, the player may follow a set of positions prescribed by an expert golfer and sold with the instrument, or he may have a professional golfer prescribe a set of positions for him, giving the 50 distance to which the feet are to be spaced, the angular position of the stance, and the position of the ball B to the player. When the player decides that a certain set of positions are productive of good results, it is intended that he should always use the same positions for each particular shot as a consequence of which he will soon attain perfection in making such shot. Thus it will be seen that by consistent practice with my stance gauge, various difficulties ex- 60 perienced by amateurs as well as advanced golf players can be readily overcome.

For convenience of carrying it about, the gauge is folded, that is to say, the direction, foot and ball gauge components I0, II and I2 are brought 65 into mutual alignment so that the gauge can be inserted into the specially designed flat circular case which I have illustrated in Figs. V, VI and VII. As shown, this carrying case includes a cup-like main section 20 having an in- 70 ternal axial post 2|, and a cover 22 with a centrally threaded stud 23 which engages into the outer end of the post 2| of the main section 20. Freely rotative on the post 2| within the case is a drum 24 which is embraced by a spring loop 2! of stout wire having pivotal anchorage at one of its ends in a lug 26 on the main section 20 of the case. In line with the spacial interval between the free and the anchored ends of the spring loop 25 the case is formed with a circumferential crosswise extending slot 21. With the gauge folded into a single composite strand, the

notched end ll of its component I is introduced into the carrying case through the slot 21 in the latter and incidently caused to engage the spring wire loop 25. As the gauge is fed inward the spring loop 25 by coaction with the notched end ll not only serves to centralize it in the cover 22 Y but also to guide it around the drum 24, and at the same time compress the superposed strip components which flatten into a compact mass as they accumulate on said drum after a manner which will be obvious from Figs. VI and VII. The case can thus be made to very small dimensions for ready carriage in the pocket. A thumb clip 28 at the free end of the foot gauge component serves both as a stop in cooperation with the slot 21 of the carrying case, and as a means whereby the gauge can be grasped for initiating its'removal from said case.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination in a golfers collapsible.

stance gauge, madeof flexible tape metal, of a play directing component; a foot gauge component pivotally-connected to the play directing component somewhat inward of one end of the latter, said end forming an extension of the playdirecting component, said foot gauge component being adapted for angular adjustment relative to the play directing component; a ball gauge com,- ponent for locatingvthe ball laterally'relative to the play directing. component and having a swivel-and-slide connection with the latter; and means coactive with the play .directing'extension, when the parts aforesaid are folded together, to guide their collapse intocoiled mutual coincidence. v

2. The combination in a golfers collapsible stance gauge, made of flexible'tape metal, of a play directing component; a foot. gauge component pivotally-connected to the play directing component somewhat inwardof one end of the latter, said end having anotched extremity and forming an extension of the play-directing component, said foot gauge component being adapted for angular adjustment relative to the play directing component; a ballgauge component having a swivel-andslide connection with the play directing component so as to be swingable perpendicularly-relative to the latter as well as movable along the same; and means including a member coactive with the play directing component notch-ended extension, when the parts aforesaid are folded together, to guide their collapse into coiled mutual coincidence. Y

3. The combination in a golfer's collapsible stance gauge, made of flexible tape metal, of. a play directing component; a foot gauge component pivotally-connected to the play directing component somewhat inward ofone end 'of. the

latter, said end having -a notched extremity and forming an extension of the play-directing component, said foot gauge component being adapted for angular adustment-relative to the play directing component; a ball gauge component having a swivel-and-slide connection with the play directing component so, as to be swingable perpendicularly relative to the latter as well as slidable along the same; the play directing and 5 foot gauge components being graduated for distances measured from their connecting pivotal center, and the ball gauge component graduated for distances outward from its swivel-and-slide connection with the play directing component; and means including a member coactive with the play directing component notch-ended extension, when the parts aforesaid are folded together, to guide their collapse into coiled mutual coincidence.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the swivel-and-slide connection between the ball gauge and play directing components comprises a slide clip with inward flanges adapted to lap the edges of the play directing component, and said clip embodies a tubular projection for passage through a pivot aperture at the inner end of the ball gauge and for outward expansion thereover.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the play directing and foot gauge components are provided with corresponding crosswise graduations concentric with their common pivotal center and marked for different angles, and each graduation on one of said components has a'radial segment with which one edge of the other component is brought into coincidence for exact .determination of a designated angle, whereby the stance gauge is adapted for use by both right and left-hand players.

6. The combination in a golfers collapsible stance gauge, made of cross-sectionally-rounded flexible tape metal, of a suitably graduatedplay directing component; a similarly graduated foot gauge component pivotally connected tothe play directing component somewhat inward of one end of the latter, said end having a notched extremity and forming an extension of the playdirecting component, said foot gauge component being adapted for angular adjustment relative to' is freely rotative winding drum, and a spring loop embracing said drumwith one end thereof pivoted to the casing, said spring being adapted for coaction with the play directing component notch-ended extension, when the latter is inserted through the carrying case slot, with the play 66 directing foot and and ball components folded together, to guide the collapse of all said components into coiled mutual coincidence.

'7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the ball gauge component includes pivoted sections foldto able over each other and over the play directing component, the carrying case winding drum embracing spring loop ls of round section wire with space between its ends opposite the casing peripheral slot, and one of said ends being pivotally concs nected to a lug projecting inwardly from the wall 

